Nelson enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, leading the Fighting Sioux in points (47) and goals (28) in 42 games and becoming the program's youngest 20-goal scorer since Jonathan Toews scored 22 in 2005-06. Nelson, a Warroad, Minn., native leads the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in goals and was the WCHA's only player to score 20 goals during league play. He currently ranks third nationally in goals, is tied for third in game-winning goals (6) and is tied for sixth in power-play goals (10).

Nelson was named to the all-tournament teams at both the Red Baron WCHA Final Five and the NCAA West Regional. He finished the year with five goals in his last five playoff games, leading UND to a third straight Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA playoff champion and a berth in the regional championship game.

The 6-foot-4, 192-pound Nelson was a first-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 2010, when he was selected 30th overall.